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Savory Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Meatballs

slow cooker honey garlic meatballs - featured image
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Tender, juicy meatballs cooked in a sticky-sweet honey garlic sauce with a hint of sesame and scallions, perfect for busy weeknights and crowd-pleasing meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (or mix half beef, half pork for extra juiciness)
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup milk (room temperature)
  • 1 large egg (room temperature)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped scallions
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
  • Chopped scallions (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, panko breadcrumbs, milk, egg, minced garlic, chopped scallions, soy sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
  2. Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs, about 20 in total.
  3. Optional: Brown meatballs in a skillet over medium heat for about 2 minutes per side, then transfer to the slow cooker.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, and toasted sesame oil until smooth.
  5. Pour the sauce over the meatballs in the slow cooker, coating them evenly.
  6. Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours or on high for 1.5 to 2 hours until meatballs are cooked through and tender.
  7. About 15 minutes before serving, stir the cornstarch slurry into the slow cooker. Switch to high heat and cook uncovered until the sauce thickens.
  8. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and chopped scallions before serving.

Notes

Avoid overmixing the meatball mixture to keep meatballs tender. Browning meatballs before slow cooking adds flavor but is optional. Toast sesame seeds before garnishing for extra crunch and aroma. Adjust sauce thickness with cornstarch slurry and water as needed. Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and tamari for gluten-free adaptation. Add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker meatballs, honey garlic meatballs, easy dinner, weeknight meal, savory meatballs, sesame meatballs, comfort food

Find it online: https://tempotaste.com/savory-slow-cooker-honey-garlic-meatballs-recipe-easy-and-delicious/